Lifting tool for bound packages

ABSTRACT

A pair of hooking devices is mounted for telescopic extension and retraction in opposite ends of a tubular horizontal lifting beam. Each hooking device is equipped with a pair of opposed fingers adapted to engage under a binding extending across the top of the package. One of the fingers is a lifting finger and the opposite finger serves as a holding dog to retain the binding on the lifting finger when the two fingers are closed together. The two hooking devices initially engage the binding at points inward from the opposite sides of the package. Lifting chains connected with pivotal bell crank arms on the beam slide the hooking devices outward from opposite ends of the beam to approach the opposite sides of the package as it is lifted.

Uite tates Patent r191 Cranston, 1111 et al.

[ LIFTING TOOL FUR BOUND PACKAGES [73] Assignee: Cranston Machiner (10.,lnc., Oak

Grove, Oreg.

22 Filed: July 12, 19711 211 Appl.No.: 161,499

[52] US. Cl. .294/67 R, 294/67 BB, 294/81 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B66c 1/18[58] Field of Search ..294/67 R, 67 B, 67 BA,

294/67 BB, 67 BC, 67 DA, 74, 81 R, 81 SF, 88; 214/1 14, 658, 730

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Morgan .294/74 Richards etal. 294/81 R Primary ExaminerEvon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Johnny D,Cherry Attorney-Lee R. Schermerhorn 5 71 ABSTRACT A pair of hookingdevices is mounted for telescopic extension and retraction in oppositeends of a tubular horizontal lifting beam. Each hooking device isequipped with a pair of opposed fingers adapted to engage under abinding extending across the top of the package. One of the fingers is alifting finger and the opposite finger serves as a holding dog to retainthe binding on the lifting finger when the two fingers are closedtogether. The two hooking devices initially engage the binding at pointsinward from the opposite sides of the package. Lifting chains connectedwith pivotal bell crank arms on the beam slide the hooking devicesoutward from opposite ends of the beam to approach the opposite sides ofthe package as it is lifted.

20 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTED P H 3.727, 965

SHEET 1 [1F 4 ALBERT E. CRANSTON H1 CHARLES B. LEWIS INVENTORS ATTORNEYPATENTEUAPR 1 7x915 SHEET 2 BF 4 mm mm mm mm 3mm mm mm ON av ALBERT E.CRANSTON m CHARLES B. LEWIS.

INVENTORS & f f g ATTOR NEY PATENTEDAPR 1 11913 5; 727. 965

SHEEI u UF 4 ALBERT E. CRANSTON 11::

CHARLES B. LEWIS INVENTORS ATTORNEY LIFTING TOOL FOR BOUND PACKAGESBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a lifting tool forbound packages and has particular reference to a device for lifting abundle or package directly by its binding.

There is a need for better means to handle large and heavy wirebound orstrapped bundles and packages. Present handling equipment for suchbundles is too slow and cumbersome, particularly where the bundles mustbe lifted. It is desired to provide lifting and handling equipmentcapable of handling a plurality of such bundles bound together in a unitpackage.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved lifting tool forbound bundles and packages, to provide a device for lifting such bundlesby their tops, making pallets unnecessary, to provide a device fordirectly grasping the binding wires or strapping of a bundle withoutresort to special fittings and accessory devices, and to providepower-operated apparatus of the type described which is capable ofgrasping the binding on top of a bundle without manual assistance ormanipulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present apparatus comprises a pair ofhooking devices extendable and retractable in opposite ends of a tubularlifting beam. Each hooking device is equipped with a pair of opposedfingers adapted to engage under a binding extending across the top ofthe package. One of the fingers is a lifting finger and the oppositefinger serves as a holding dog to retain the binding on the liftingfinger when the two fingers are closed together. The two hooking devicesinitially engage the binding inward from the opposite sides of thepackage.

Lifting chains connected with pivotal bell crank arms on the beam slidethe hooking devices outward from opposite ends of the beam to approachthe opposite sides of the package as it is lifted. This provides astable and secure suspension for a single bundle or a plurality ofbundles bound together without special fittings or accessory devices andmakes pallets unnecessary.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects andadvantages will become apparent from the following description of thepreferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Variouschanges may be made in the details of construction and arrangement ofparts and certain features may be used without others. All suchmodifications within the scope of the appended claims are included inthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view showing alifting tool embodying the invention approaching the top of' a packageto pick up the package;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the tool in FIG. 1, showing the toolin full lines in a preliminary position and in lifting position inbroken lines;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the left side of the tool in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view on the line 4l-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view on the line 55 in FIG. 2 with the lifting fingers inopen position;

FIG. 6 is a similar view with the lifting fingers in closed position;

FIG. 7 is view on the line 77 in FIG. 5;

FIG. Sis a view similar to FIG. 7 showing a modification having a rotarymotor to close and open the lifting fingers;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the initial positions of theparts preliminary to lifting;

FIG. 10 is a similar view showing the parts approaching liftingposition;

FIG. 11 is a similar view showing the parts in lifting position;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 2 for comparison with certainmodifications in subsequent figures;

FIG. 13 shows a modification in which the lifting fingers are closed andopened by a rotary fluid motor;

FIG. 14 is a similar view showing another modification in which thelifting fingers are closed and opened by reversible electric motors;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of the pneumatic system in the first embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and 9 to 11; and

FIG. 16 shows a gang of the lifting tools for handling a plurality ofthe package units in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a typicalapplication of the invention wherein the lifting tool 10 is beinglowered onto the top of a unit package P which consists of eightindividual bundles B bound together by a number of turns of binding wire11. By way of example, the bundles B are paper wrapped bales of woodpulp which are quite bulky as well as heavy. A typical package P of suchmaterial weighs approximately 4,000 pounds, is 60 to inches high andmeasures 52 to 68 inches on a side.

A tubular beam 14 supports a pair of hooking devices 15 for extensionfrom opposite ends of the beam. Each hooking device 15 is mounted on theouter end of a tube 16 which slides in the beam tube 14 as shown in FIG.2. Each hooking device 15 is equipped with a pair of fingers 20 and 21which are arranged to close together under the binding wire 11 to liftthe package P.

After the lifting fingers 20 and 21 have been engaged under the bindingwire 11 at points inward from opposite sides of the package, the tool 10is lifted and the weight of the package applies mechanical leverage tothe lifting means to extend the hooking devices 15 outward toward theopposite sides of the package, sliding the lifting fingers 20 and 21along the binding wires 11. When the tool 10 is to be released from thepackage, the package is supported on its bottom, the hooking devices 15are retracted inward to the ends of beam 14 and the fingers 20 and 21are spread apart to release the binding wires.

At each end of beam 14 a pair of lifting chains 23 is connected to ayoke 24 on the upper ends of a pair of bell crank arms 25. Arms 25 arepivotally mounted on a horizontal pin 26 in ears 27 on the upper side ofbeam 14. A pin 28 in the lower ends of arms 25 extends through avertical slot 29 in an car 30 on the under side of each tube 16. Bar 30travels in a longitudinal slot 31 in the under side of beam 14. Thus, alifting force applied to the chains 23 slides the tubes 16 and hookingdevices 15 outward away from the opposite ends of beam 14.

When the tool is lowered onto the top of the package as shown in FIG. 1,the four fingers 20 and 21 in open position as shown provide a fourpoint stable support for the tool. As lifting chains 23 are relaxed, theweight of tool 10 presses the fingers 20 and 21 into the bundle wrappersso that when the fingers are closed together they slide under thebinding wires 11 without tearing the bundle wrappers. Slot 31 permitssufficient relative rotation of hooking devices on the axis of beam 14to accommodate uneveness of the top surface of the package.

When the chains 23 are relaxed after carrying the package, the hookingdevices are retracted back to the ends of beam 14 by a fluid pressurecylinder 35 and piston rod 36 contained within the beam. The oppositeends of the cylinder and piston rod are connected to brackets 37 onguide blocks 40 in the hooking devices.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 7, a guide block 40 is mounted on the outerend of each sliding tube 16. Each guide block 40 supports a pair ofslide bars 41 and 42 for horizontal reciprocation transversely to tube16 and beam 14. Finger is mounted on the outer end of slide bar 41 andfinger 21 is mounted on the outer end of slide bar 42. The slide barsare supported and guided in their reciprocating movements by pairs ofrollers 43 on horizontal pins 44 in the guide block 40. The rollers 43are disposed in slots 45 in the slide bars.

Both slide bars are reciprocated by a piston rod 49 in a double actingfluid cylinder 50. The rod end of cylinder 50 is mounted in guide block40 and piston rod 49 is connected to a bracket 51 on the outer end ofslide bar 41. The confronting surfaces of slide bars 41 and 42 areequipped with rack teeth 52 engaging the teeth on opposite sides of apinion gear 53 which is mounted for rotation on a vertical stub shaft 55on the under side of guide block 40. Thus, the slide bar 41 and finger20 are driven directly by piston rod 49 on the slide bar 42 and finger21 are driven through pinion 53 to move in opposite directions fromslide bar 41. Extension of piston rod 49 opens the fingers 20 and 21 asshown in FIG. 5 and retraction of the piston rod closes the fingerstogether in overlapping relationship as shown in FIG. 6.

In the modification ,shown in FIG. 8, the fingers 20 and 21 are openedand closed by a rotary motor 60 which may be a pneumatic, hydraulic orelectric motor. Motor 60 is mounted vertically above guide block 40 andconnected with a shaft 550 carrying the pinion 53a. In this modificationthe rotary motor 60 takes the place ofthe reciprocating motor 50in FIGS.5 and 6.

Finger 20 is designated as a wire shoe or lifting pin, having arelatively long, gradually sloping and rounded wedging top surface 65extending back from. a blunt point 64 to force itself under the bindingwires 11 when the fingers are closed on the binding wires. When thefingers are closed, the binding wires 11 and, consequently, the packageP are supported by the finger 20.

Finger 21 is designated as a holding or retaining dog in that it has arelatively short and steeply sloping top surface 66 at an angle of about45 to horizontal. This dog shoe is not intended to force itself underthe wires to a very great extent nor to provide a lifting function whenthe package is lifted. It functions primarily as an abutment whichengages the wires as the fingers close and holds the tool in operativeposition as the finger 20 passes under the wires 11.

The fingers 20 and 21 are disposed in side by side relationship as shownin FIG. 7. In closed position in FIG. 6 the finger 20 extends under thewires 11 and cooperates with the finger 21 to form a closed pocket 67 onthe under side of guide block 40, confining and containing the wires 11so that the package is securely held. Pocket 67 is formed by the pointsof the two fingers passing each other in the closing movement as thewires 11 are lifted away from the top surface of the package by thesloping ramp surface 65 on finger 20. These hooking devices will alsooperate on flat strappings, cables and chains as well as the wire typeof binding 11.

Beam 14 is of less length than the distance across the top of thepackage spanned by the wires 11 whereby the hooking devices 15 arespaced inward from the opposite sides of the package in the initialplacement of the tool on the top of the. package as shown in FIG. 9. InFIG. 9 the lifting chains 23 are slack and the tool 10 is resting on itsfour fingers 20 and 21 on the top of the package with the beam 14parallel to and directly above the wires 11 as shown in FIG. 5. Thisplaces the open fingers 20 and 21 at a distance on opposite sides of thewires 11.

The closing of the fingers 20 and 21 as above described gathers thewires 11 into the pocket 67 as shown in FIG. 6. With the hooking devices15 thus spaced away from the sides of the package, the wires 11 arereadily lifted by the top ramp surfaces 65 on fingers 20 to raise thewires away from the top of the package. As the chains 23 are tightenedto lift the package, the wires 11 are lifted higher above the top of thepackage and, at the same time, the tension in chains 23 moves thehooking devices 15 outward as shown in FIG. 10. Still further tensioningof the chains extends the hooking devices 15 outward to the sides of thepackage as shown in FIG. 11 and lifts the package. This is the carryingposition of the tool.

In order to release the tool form the package, the package is brought torest on a support and the chains 23 made slack. Binding wires 11 arereleased by opening the fingers 20 and 21 to their FIG. 5 position.During this opening movement stripper pawl or dog 70 strips the wires 11off the finger 20. While this action is taking place, fluid pressure isintroduced into the rod end of cylinder 35 to retract hooking devices 15back to their FIG. 9 positions. Moving the fingers 20 and 21 inward awayfrom the sides of the package facilitates the disengagement of thefingers from wires 11 and the tool 10 may then be lifted clear of thepackage as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, stripper dog 70 is pivotally mounted on a pin 71 onslide bar 42. Dog 70 is rotatable counterclockwise on pin 71 butclockwise rotation is prevented by a stop pin 72 on slide bar 42.

The diagram in FIG. 15 illustrates a simple system for pneumaticoperation of the cylinders 35 and 50 as above described. Valve 75 ispreferably a double solenoid valve with manual override mounted on thetool as shown in FIG. 1. The valve may be operated by a remote controlswitch, by radio or by direct manual manipulation. When line 76 ispressurized from a supply line 74, air pressure in the rod ends ofcylinders 50 closes the fingers 2t) and 21 for lifting of the packageand the lifting of the package extends the hooking devices as describedin connection with FIG. 11. When the tool is to be disengaged from thepackage, valve 75 is shifted to pressurize line 77, the air pressure inthe head ends of cylinders 50 opening the fingers and 21 as shown inFIG. 5 and air pressure in the rod end of spreader cylinder 35retracting the hooking devices 15 to their FIG. 9 positions.

In a similar manner the cylinders 35 and 50 may be operated by ahydraulic system. FIG. 12 may be considered as illustrative of the toolin FIG. 1 with either pneumatic or hydraulic operation of thesecylinders.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate modifications of the tool using a rotarymotor to open and close the fingers 20 and 21 as explained in connectionwith FIG. 8. In FIG. 13 a rotary air or hydraulic motor 80 rotates theshaft 55a in FIG. 8 to open and close fingers 20 and 21 and the hookingdevices 15 are retracted by a cylinder 35 as described in connectionwith FIG. 2. Extension of hooking devices 15 is by lifting arms aspreviously described.

In FIG. 14 the shaft 55a in FIG. 8 is driven by reversible electricmotor 81 equipped with a brake 82. The brake is spring actuated andsolenoid released whereby the brake is applied whenever the motor isdeenergized. In this modification the hooking devices 15 are retractedby tension springs 85 acting on the bell crank lifting arms 25 and thecylinder 35 is not used.

FIG. 16 shows a multiple lifting device 90 having a frame 91 carrying aplurality of lifting tools 10 for the group of packages P, eachcontaining bundles B secured together by bindings 11. Frame 91 carriesan air compressor 92 to supply the pneumatic systems in the liftingtools and the whole array is suspended from a travelling crane 93.

Having now described our invention and in what manner the same may beused, what we claim as new and desire to protect by letters patent is:

1. Apparatus for lifting a package by its binding comprising a beam, apair of hooking devices mounted on opposite ends of said beam to engagesaid binding and provide two-point support for said package, means toextend said hooking devices away from each other on said beam comprisingpivotal lifting arms on said beam arranged to extend said hookingdevices when said beam is lifted, and means to retract said hookingdevices toward each other on said beam, each of said hooking devicescomprising a pair of opposed fingers mounted for closing and openinglengthwise movements toward and away from each other, said fingersclosing together in side by side relation with at least one of saidfingers being arranged to pass under said bind ing and the other fingerbeing arranged to retain said binding on said one finger, and a motorarranged to close and open said fingers.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, said one finger being longer thansaid other finger, said one finger being a lifting hook and said otherfinger being a holding dog.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, said fingers being mounted onopposite ends of a pair of slide bars having horizontal side by sidesliding movement.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 including A pivotal stripper dog onthe slide bar carrying said dog finger arranged to strip said bindingfrom said lifting hook finger when said fingers move away from eachother.

5. A device as defined in claim 3 including a pinion gear between saidslide bars, and rack teeth on said slide bars engaging opposite sides ofsaid pinion gear for movement of the slide bars in opposite directions.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, said motor comprising a fluidpressure cylinder and piston connected with one of said slide bars foropening and closing said fingers.

7. A device as defined in claim 5, said motor comprising a rotary motordriving said pinion gear for opening and closing said fingers.

8. Apparatus for lifting a package by its binding comprising a pair ofhooking devices arranged to engage said binding at two points on top ofthe package spaced inward from opposite sides of the package, means forretaining said binding in said engagement with said hooking devices,means for sliding said hooking devices away from each other along saidbinding toward said opposite sides of the package, means for liftingsaid hooking devices whereby the package is lifted, said sliding meansbeing incorporated in said lifting means and operable by sald liftingmeans when said hooking devices are lifted, means for retracting saidhooking devices toward each other and away from said opposite sides ofthe package when the package is rested on its bottom, and means foropening said retaining means to release said apparatus from the package.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, each of said hooking devicescomprising a pair of opposed fingers mounted for closing and openinglengthwise movements toward and away from each other, and fingers inclosed position overlapping each other in side by side relation, saidretaining means comprising one of said fingers, and a motor arranged toclose and open said fingers.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including a beam supporting saidhooklng devices for sliding movement therealong.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, said sliding means and liftingmeans including pivotal lifting arms on said beam operable on saidhooking devices.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, said beam being tubular and saidhooking devices being mounted on the other ends of elongated telescopicmembers slidable in opposite ends of said beam.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, said hooking devices beingrotatable relative to each other on the axis of said beam for adjustmentto surface irregularities on the to? of the package.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 including pivotal connections forsaid lifting arms on said beam, longitudinal slots in said beam, ears onsaid telescopic members slidable in said slots, pivotal connectionsbetween said ears and one end of said lifting arms, and lifting chainsfor said apparatus connected to the opposite ends of said lifting arms.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, said retracting means comprising afluid pressure cylinder and piston in said beam.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, said retracting means comprisingsprings.

17. Apparatus for lifting a package by a tensioned binding on thepackage comprising a horizontal beam adapted to be positioned over andparallel with a portion of said tensioned binding extending across thetop of the package, a pair of hooking devices on said beam, each hookingdevice having a pair of opposed horizontal fingers arranged to rest ontop of the package on opposite sides of said tensioned binding andsupport said apparatus on the package, and means for closing each pairof said fingers together in side by side relation causing at lease onefinger of each pair to pass under said tensioned binding, whereby thepackage may be lifted by said beam.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, said fingers of each pair beingmounted on a pair of slide bars having horizontal side by side slidingmovement, said one finger of each pair being a lifting finger and theopposed finger being a holding dog, and a stripper dog on the slide barcarrying said holding dog finger arranged to strip said binding fromsaid lifting finger when said fingers are moved away from each other.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 including means to extend saidhooking devices away from each other on said beam, and means to retractsaid hooking devices toward each other on said beam.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, said hooking devices beingrotatable relative to each other on the axis of said beam for adjustmentto surface irregularities on the top of the package.

1. Apparatus for lifting a package by its binding comprising a beam, apair of hooking devices mounted on opposite ends of said beam to engagesaid binding and provide two-point support for said package, means toextend said hooking devices away from each other on said beam comprisingpivotal lifting arms on said beam arranged to extend said hookingdevices when said beam is lifted, and means to retract said hookingdevices toward each other on said beam, each of said hooking devicescomprising a pair of opposed fingers mounted for closing and openinglengthwise movements toward and away from each other, said fingersclosing together in side by side relation with at least one of saidfingers being arranged to pass under said binding and the other fingerbeing arranged to retain said binding on said one finger, and a motorarranged to close and open said fingers.
 2. A device as defined in claim1, said one finger being longer than said other finger, said one fingerbeing a lifting hook and said other finger being a holding dog.
 3. Adevice as defined in claim 2, said fingers being mounted on oppositeends of a pair of slide bars having horizontal side by side slidingmovement.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3 including a pivotal stripperdog on the slide bar carrying said dog finger arranged to strip saidbinding from said lifting hook finger when said fingers move away fromeach other.
 5. A device as defined in claim 3 including a pinion gearbetween said slide bars, and rack teeth on said slide bars engagingopposite sides of said pinion gear for movement of the slide bars inopposite directions.
 6. A device as defined in claim 5, said motorcomprising a fluid pressure cylinder and piston connected with one ofsaid slide bars for opening and closing said fingers.
 7. A device asdefined in claim 5, said motor comprising a rotary motor driving saidpinion gear for opening and closing said fingers.
 8. Apparatus forlifting a package by its binding comprising a pair of hooking devicesarranged to engage said binding at two points on top of the packagespaced inward from opposite sides of the package, means for retainingsaid binding in said engagement with said hooking devices, means forsliding said hooking devices away from each other along said bindingtoward said opposite sides of the package, means for lifting saidhooking devices whereby the package is lifted, said sliding means beingincorporated in said lifting means and operable by said lifting meanswhen said hooking devices are lifted, means for retracting said hookingdevices toward each other and away from said opposite sides of thepackage when the package is rested on its bottom, and means for openingsaid retaining means to release said apparatus from the package. 9.Apparatus as defined in claim 8, each of said hooking devices comprisinga pair of opposed fingers mounted for closing and opening lengthwisemovements toward and away from each other, and fingers in closedposition overlapping each other in side by side relation, said retainingmeans comprising one of said fingers, and a motor arranged to close andopen said fingers.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including a beamsupporting said hooking devices for sliding movement therealong. 11.Apparatus as defined in claim 10, said sliding means and lifting meansincluding pivotal lifting arms on said beam operable on said hookingdevices.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, said beam being tubuLarand said hooking devices being mounted on the outer ends of elongatedtelescopic members slidable in opposite ends of said beam.
 13. Apparatusas defined in claim 12, said hooking devices being rotatable relative toeach other on the axis of said beam for adjustment to surfaceirregularities on the top of the package.
 14. Apparatus as defined inclaim 12 including pivotal connections for said lifting arms on saidbeam, longitudinal slots in said beam, ears on said telescopic membersslidable in said slots, pivotal connections between said ears and oneend of said lifting arms, and lifting chains for said apparatusconnected to the opposite ends of said lifting arms.
 15. Apparatus asdefined in claim 8, said retracting means comprising a fluid pressurecylinder and piston in said beam.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 8,said retracting means comprising springs.
 17. Apparatus for lifting apackage by a tensioned binding on the package comprising a horizontalbeam adapted to be positioned over and parallel with a portion of saidtensioned binding extending across the top of the package, a pair ofhooking devices on said beam, each hooking device having a pair ofopposed horizontal fingers arranged to rest on top of the package onopposite sides of said tensioned binding and support said apparatus onthe package, and means for closing each pair of said fingers together inside by side relation causing at lease one finger of each pair to passunder said tensioned binding, whereby the package may be lifted by saidbeam.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, said fingers of each pairbeing mounted on a pair of slide bars having horizontal side by sidesliding movement, said one finger of each pair being a lifting fingerand the opposed finger being a holding dog, and a stripper dog on theslide bar carrying said holding dog finger arranged to strip saidbinding from said lifting finger when said fingers are moved away fromeach other.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 including means toextend said hooking devices away from each other on said beam, and meansto retract said hooking devices toward each other on said beam. 20.Apparatus as defined in claim 17, said hooking devices being rotatablerelative to each other on the axis of said beam for adjustment tosurface irregularities on the top of the package.